You know what’s extreme?
Daring to use the same dirty tricks Big Tobacco did decades ago. The audacity it takes for the chemical industry to implement and use the same deceptive tactics of distorting science, creating front groups and lying about the efficacy and safety of their chemicals is in fact, extreme.
But we’re not buying it. Last week many of you called and emailed your Members of Congress to let them know that you’re not going to stand to let history repeat itself. We refuse to let the chemical industry use a communications spin game to block protections for our families.
In the same way the anti-tobacco activists coined the effective “Just Say No” campaign to help combat the lure of Joe Camel, I’ve reinstated the motto to fight Joe Chemical.
I’m saying no to things I think are extreme:
- The chemical industry’s use of tactics that mirror the tobacco industry including creating front groups to fight toxic chemical regulation, distort the science and overall need for certain toxic chemicals.
- The routine exposure of toxic chemicals used in our consumer products like carcinogenic formaldehyde, hormone disrupting phthalates, brain harming toxic flame retardants, toxic TCE in our drinking water and lead in handbags.
- Pesticide companies directly advertizing to young children with the use of super hero like pest removers and coloring books. Perhaps the Daily Show’s satirical commentary on the subject wasn’t far off from reality.
And I’m saying yes to the following:
- Giving American consumers the peace of mind and confidence they want in our products.
- Minimizing cancer, learning disabilities, infertility, early puberty and other unnecessary chronic diseases.
- Reducing the financial burden on our health care system. An estimated $76 billion each year.
- A future where pollution is decreased and eliminated from “hot spot” communities.
- Less chemical contaminants in the bodies and blood of pregnant women.
- Most importantly: I’m saying yes to standing up against the chemical industry’s sneaky PR campaigns that call protecting American families “extreme.”
I think last week’s blog from Polly Schlaff was one of the most powerful stories we’ve heard. We work with a host of parents, children, grandchildren of people fighting cancer, sometimes until their last day here on earth.
The issue of safer chemicals really is about the core values that keep us together. It’s about the ability to have a family, the ability to live a long and healthy life, and the ability to not wonder if the routine exposure to toxic chemicals may have caused a loved ones suffering.
George Santayana said it best, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” So let us learn from what the Tobacco industry did, and not let history repeat itself.
The chemical industry’s attempt to brand the Safe Chemicals Act as “extreme” has backfired…in fact it has fired me up.
Please join me and take action: tell your Senators that supporting the Safe Chemicals Act is not extreme. It’s mainstream.